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Equipment
Batch Columns
In batch operation, the feed to the column is introduced batch-wise. That is, the column
is charged with a 'batch' and then the distillation process is carried out. When the
desired task is achieved, a next batch of feed is introduced.
Continuous Columns
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where the extra feed exits when it is used to help with the separation
extractive distillation - where the extra feed appears in the bottom product stream
azeotropic distillation - where the extra feed appears at the top product stream
tray column - where trays of various designs are used to hold up the liquid to
provide better contact between vapour and liquid, hence better separation
packed column - where instead of trays, 'packings' are used to enhance contact
between vapour and liquid
The vertical shell houses the column internals and together with the condenser and
reboiler, constitute a distillation column. A schematic of a typical distillation unit with a
single feed and two product streams is shown below:
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Basic Operation and Terminology
The liquid mixture that is to be processed is known as the feed and this is introduced
usually somewhere near the middle of the column to a tray known as the feed tray. The
feed tray divides the column into a top (enriching or rectification) section and a bottom
(stripping) section. The feed flows down the column where it is collected at the bottom
in the reboiler.
Heat is supplied to the reboiler to generate vapour. The source of heat input can be any
suitable fluid, although in most chemical plants this is normally steam. In refineries, the
heating source may be the output streams of other columns. The vapour raised in the
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reboiler is re-introduced into the unit at the bottom of the column. The liquid removed
from the reboiler is known as the bottoms product or simply, bottoms.
The vapour moves up the column, and as it exits the top of the unit, it is cooled by a
condenser. The condensed liquid is stored in a holding vessel known as the reflux drum.
Some of this liquid is recycled back to the top of the column and this is called the reflux.
The condensed liquid that is removed from the system is known as the distillate or top
product.
Thus, there are internal flows of vapour and liquid within the column as well as external
flows of feeds and product streams, into and out of the column.
Part 1:
What are Distillation Columns?
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Part 2:
Column Internals
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